UPU supports creation of postal regulators

Government officials, regulatory authorities, postal operators, postal sector decision-makers,and representatives from the private sector and international organizations gathered at the

Edouard Dayan, Director General of the UPU, emphasized the support now being offered by hisorganization to governments wishing to define regulatory solutions adapted to their own needs,particularly through the UPU’s “integrated postal reform and development plan” projects, whichwould help to release the funds necessary for the establishment of regulatory bodies in thecountries that currently lacked them.

Four round tables on various aspects of regulation formed the centrepiece of the latesthigh-level conference organized by the UPU. In determining why regulation of postal services isnecessary in a country, and what type of regulation should be adopted, it is important to examinethe particular economic and political circumstances of the country in question. In all cases,however, the regulator must organize and structure the market, establish a regulatory framework,specify the role to be played by each player, and ensure application of the universal postalservice.

“While postal regulation is a well-known model which benefits consumers in the industrializedcountries” said Joëlle Toledano, a member of ARCEP, the French postal regulatory authority,“developing countries should find resources to enable better universal postal service coverage ontheir territory, while creating economies of scale which ensure the profitability andsustainability of basic services”.

Another fundamental element which will play a part in tomorrow’s postal regulation is newtechnology. “New technology should form part of new regulatory frameworks” said Emmanuel Drai, alawyer with the firm Latham & Watkins. Businesses that handle mail resulting from e-commerceare looking to regulators to put in place evolving technical standards at the international levelto increase customer confidence in electronic services, and mirror the trust enjoyed by physicalmail.

“Regulators should take full advantage of this type of forum to lay the foundations forinternational digital postal regulation, so as to guarantee the contents of electronic datatransfers and consolidate customer confidence in postal services, which are accessible to 96% ofthe world population”, added Mr. Drai.